How to troubleshoot your Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker
Key takeaways:
Whirlpool is a popular manufacturer of home appliances that help make your everyday life more convenient. Their ice makers, which are part of most refrigerators that are a commonly purchased appliance, makes ice ready for your drinks without you having to fill ice cube trays and wait for them to freeze.
Whether you have a freestanding ice maker or a fridge ice maker from Whirlpool, if it’s not working properly, it can disrupt your daily drink routine. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem and get it resolved.
What are common ice maker issues?
Ice makers can malfunction completely, not making ice, or they can have other issues that prevent you from fully enjoying fresh and cold ice. Some of the other common issues with ice makers include:
- Ice being made but not dispensed
- Too much ice produced
- Ice with an odd taste
- Leaking coming from the ice maker
- Ice cubes that are too small or too big
Freestanding and fridge ice makers can have different problems caused by different issues. Problems with kitchen refrigerator ice makers are often related to the main components of the fridge like the water dispenser, valves and lines, the water filter, the ice maker control arm and the ice bin.
Parts like the water filter, system or supply line, as well as a defective machine itself, can cause problems with freestanding ice makers. Sometimes, temperature problems or ice maker settings can also cause problems.
What causes problems with Whirlpool ice makers?
To resolve your ice maker malfunction, you have to know the cause. Causes of common ice maker problems include:
- Ice production: These can be caused by clogs in the water filter, defective water inlet valves and a fridge or freezer compartment that isn’t set at the right temperature.
- Ice dispensing: These can be due to ice clumps stuck in the bin or chute or a frozen auger motor.
- Leakage: These can be caused by ice clumps being stuck in the dispenser chute or a misaligned fill valve and cup.
- Odd tasting ice: These can be caused by a dirty ice machine, an expired water filter or freezer items that are improperly wrapped.
- Too much ice: These can be due to the ice bin being positioned incorrectly, a broken control arm or a missing shelf.
- Too-small ice cubes: These may be because of inadequate water flow or improper temperature settings in the refrigerator or freezer compartments.
How to troubleshoot Whirlpool ice maker problems
Many times, problems with your Whirlpool ice maker can be fixed by some simple troubleshooting. The Whirlpool troubleshooting guide can help you determine the issue and show you how to remedy it. Some ideas include:
Check to see if the icemaker is turned on
It may seem obvious, but you should make sure your ice maker is turned on and set to produce ice. If you have a freestanding ice maker, they have on/off switches on the bottom that may accidentally be turned off. If you have a fridge ice maker, they often have on/off switches or automatic shutoff features that can stop ice from being produced. Check that your ice maker is on before further troubleshooting. You can also hit the reset button and see if that makes a difference.
Check for ice blockages or jams
If your ice maker isn’t dispensing ice properly, check the ice maker for jams or ice blockages in the ice bin or chute. If there is ice jammed in the dispenser chute, you can let it melt naturally or remove it carefully with a utensil. If there are large chunks of ice in the ice bin, they may be too big to go through the chute. You can remove and defrost the ice bin to get them to thaw.
Examine the water filter
Examine the water filter on your ice maker to ensure it’s properly installed and not clogged, as this can affect ice production and dispensing. If you’re dealing with ice that tastes weird, check the expiration date on your filter and replace it if necessary.
Test the water supply line
Some ice maker problems may be caused by a kinked or disconnected water supply line or one with too low pressure. To determine if the water supply line is causing the issue, examine the water line and make sure it’s properly connected to a cold-water supply, the water shutoff valve is fully opened and there are no kinks in the line. Learn more about checking your water supply line.
Review the freezer temperature
Check the temperature of your freezer (and fridge if you have a fridge ice maker) to make sure it’s cold enough to produce ice. The freezer should be set to 0°F and the refrigerator should be between 33 and 40°F. Adjust it if needed.
These are just some of the ways that you can troubleshoot your Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker or freestanding model.
When to call a professional to repair your ice maker
If you tried troubleshooting methods and can’t resolve your Whirlpool ice maker issue on your own, reach out to a professional for assistance. Whirlpool offers a one-year limited warranty on ice makers that covers manufacturer defects and labor costs for critical parts.
If it’s been more than a year and you need repair assistance, you can hire a repair professional. However, repairing an ice maker can be pricey, with average costs for repair and replacement between $300 and $420, according to HomeAdvisor.
How to prevent ice maker problems
Whirlpool ice makers can wear down over time and stop working. However, there are a few preventative measures you can take to help your ice maker work properly and last as long as possible. Some of these measures include:
- Keep proper freezer temperatures: Make sure that you keep your freezer at the right temperature (around 0°F) to enable proper ice production.
- Replace water filters regularly: The water filter in your ice maker should be replaced regularly to prevent clogs and provide a consistent water flow, typically every six months to one year.
- Clean your ice maker routinely: Cleaning and sanitizing your ice maker routinely (at least twice a year) can help remove dirt and germs that might build up and lead to clogs or odd-tasting ice.
You can also schedule routine maintenance and inspections of your fridge, freezer and ice maker to ensure they stay in working order.
How a home warranty can help with ice maker issues
Although Whirlpool offers one-year warranties on its ice makers, these warranties don’t cover normal wear and tear that can occur over time. A home warranty, on the other hand, provides coverage for covered appliances like fridges and ice makers that break down due to normal wear and tear, helping you afford repairs and replacements you would otherwise have to pay entirely out of pocket.
At Cinch Home Services, we have an Appliances Plan that covers 12 major home appliances of various ages and models, including refrigerators and freestanding ice makers. If your covered ice maker suddenly stops working and you can’t fix it with troubleshooting, you can file a claim and one of our skilled service workers will respond as soon as possible about repairs or replacements1. With plans that offer different coverage, you can get peace of mind that your appliances are taken care of without spending a fortune.
1 Covered items must be in good working order, with no apparent visual or operational malfunctions, as of your service agreement effective date. Non-covered, incidental charges and dollar amount caps may apply.
Get appliance coverage for your Whirlpool ice maker
Don’t get stuck paying for ice maker repairs or replacements all on your own — invest in a home protection appliance plan from Cinch Home Services to help you pay for them.
If your ice maker needs to be professionally repaired, having a home protection plan from Cinch Home Services can come in handy. Our protection plans, like the Appliances Plan, help cover your home’s appliances from normal wear and tear2, so you don’t have to pay completely out of pocket to get them repaired or replaced. Learn more about troubleshooting tips for Whirlpool ice makers and how our Appliance Plan can help if your machine malfunctions.
2 All plans are subject to terms, conditions and limitations in your service plan agreement. Deductible due at time of service call. Non-covered charges may apply to certain repairs and replacements. Coverage and pricing may vary by state. Sales tax may apply.
The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer
The information in this blog library is intended to provide general guidance on home warranties, and on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
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